India’s Ukraine ‘challenge’

News: The stand-off between Russia and Ukraine, China, and Taiwan has put several questions for India on how to respond to the development.

How did the change in USA policy lead to a change in Russia and China policy?

Russia and China seem to believe that the USA has diminished its economic and military capacity and has lost its will of power. They see the USA’s domestic issues, pandemic, chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as proof of American decline.

China seeks to utilize this opportunity to include Taiwan under it.

Russia seeks to assert its predominance in what it considers its near neighborhood-eastern European Central Asia

What will be the geopolitical impact of China and Russian actions?

Chinese reunification with Taiwan will alter the geopolitical landscape of Indo-Pacific. Quad will lose its relevance. It could lead to a Chinese lead Asian order.

If the Russian invasion of Ukraine goes unpunished, it could weaken the credibility of the USA.

What is the way forward for India?

To shrink the power gap with China, India needs to increase its economic and military capabilities at a rapid and sustainable pace. Along with that, there is also a need for political leadership, that focuses on getting India back to a higher growth trajectory.

Source: This post is based on the article “India’s Ukraine ‘challenge’” published in the Business Standard on 27th January 2022.